Control switch for bag sewing machine



IIIIVI June 19, 1962 G. A. CORDLE 3,039,409

CONTROL SWITCH FOR BAG SEWING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 hfliiiiiiiil W g V a !E 28 i gr 29 94 82 3/ 6 t o t\ Fig.5

//4 II? M Glen A. Cord/e INVENTOR.

June 19, 1962 G. A. CORDLE 3,039,409

CONTROL SWITCH FOR BAG SEWING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

3| 40 //4 I I l0 //4 44 6 Q a I ZZ Glen A. Cord/e INVENTOR.

BY w mm Sttes This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in sewing machines, and more specifically to a control switch assembly for bag sewing machines.

As sewing machines are now operated in the sewing of bags, it is necessary that the man operating the sewing machine follow the bag through the machine and after the sewing operation has been completed, he must cut the thread by pushing the bag back against the cutter of the sewing machine. This procedure is too slow and non-uniform.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a control switch assembly for a bag sewing machine which is of such a nature whereby when the control switch assembly is incorporated in the bag sewing machine, the operation of the bag sewing machine, including the cutting of the thread thereof is automatic with the result that in most instances the bag sewing operation may be made automatic in lieu of having a man follow the bag through the sewing machine and then moving the bag relative to the sewing machine to cut the thread chain.

Another object of this invention is to provide a control switch for a bag sewing machine, the control switch being connected in series with the motor of the sewing machine and an elongated feeler which extends in the direction of movement of the bag during a bag sewing operation whereby as the top of the bag is positioned with respect to the sewing machine, the feeler will operate the switch and initiate the operation of the sewing machine and after the bag has passed sufficiently through the sewing machine, the feeler will disengage fromthe bag and automatically cut off the operation of the sewing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide acontrol switch for automatically controlling the operation of a bag sewing machine, the control switch including a feel'er which extends longitudinally in the direction of bag movement during a bag sewing operation, the feeler eX- tending a considerable distance beyond the needle of the sewing machine whereby a thread chain is formed behind the bag and the thread chain is advanced to a point whereby it may be automatically cut off atthe' end of the operation of the sewing machine.

A further'object of this invention is to provide a con' trol switch assembly for a bag sewing machine, the control switch assembly including a first control switch for automatically operating a. motor of the bag stitching mechanism, and a second control switch for operating a solenoid which in turn controls the position of an arm, which arm engages the thread chain at the termination of a bag sewing operation to press the thread chain into engagement with a fixed knife on the sewing machine so that the thread chain is automatically cut at the end of the bag sewing operation. By proper adjustment of the feelers with respect to their associated control switches, the phase relationship between the bag stitchingvoperation and cutting arm movements may beset -so as to accomplish the above stated objects of the invention. It will therefore be apparent that by readjustment of the feelers, bags of different sizes may be accommodatedby varying the interval between departure of the bag from each of the feelers and the spacings of the feelers relative to the cutting arm.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the detent tails of construction and operation asmore fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference. being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof-wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in. which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of arbag sewing machine, as viewed from the exit end thereof and shows incorporated on the bag sewing machine the control switch assembly which is the subject of this invention, a bag being in position relative to the sewing machine;

FIGURE 2 is atop plan view of thexsewing machine of FIGURE 1 and shows further the details of the control switch assembly including the longitudinal extent of the feelers of the two switches thereof;v

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the sewing machine and showsfurther the details of the control switch assembly;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the control switch assembly and the mounting plate thereof and showsthe specific details of the control switches, the operating linkage for the control. switches and the. solenoid for operating the thread-depresser; and

FIGURE 5 is a wiring diagram of the control switch assembly.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated a conventional type ofbag sewingv machine which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The sewing machine 10 is mounted on a suitable vertical support 12 by means of a clamp assembly 14-and includes a'housing 16 inwhich all of the mechanical components thereof are mounted. The sewing machine 10 is driven by means of a drive pulley 18 over which there is entrained a drive belt 2t .v

Supported by the frame or. housing 16' is a horizontally disposed needle support 22 of a stitching. mechanism within stitching head 31 which carries a needle 24 through whichtt-here is threaded thread 26. Also, fixed to a backing guide portion 29 of the housing 16 is a thread cutter of knife blade 28 which structure is conventional.

In the operation of the sewing machine 10, a bag 30 which is to have a top thereof closed is moved beneath the sewing machine 10 on a suitable supporting surface 32- which may be in the form of a conveyor. The top portion of the bag 30, which top portion is referred to by the reference numeral 34, is passed between the opposed stitching head 31 and'backing guide 29 of the. sewing machine 10' and is stitched by means of the needle 24. Duringthis stitching operation it is necessary that the sewing machine '16 be provided with an operator who. controls the operation thereof and atthe end of the bagv sewing operation, it is. necessary that the bag be'moved. relative to-the sewing machine so as. to engage the thread with the knife 28 tov cutoif the thread andthus release the bag 30 from the sewing machine 10.

In order that the operation-of the sewing machinel'O' may be made automatic, there is provided a control switch assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral: 36 andrwhich' is b'est'illust'rated: in: FIGURE 4. The-control switch assembly 36 includes a mounting'plate 38 which may be suitably secured in a-vertical position: as

shown by dottedline in FIGURE 3 to the backing guide portion 29 housing 16' of thesewingrnachinelti; Secured to-the mounting plate 38 atone-corner thereof andextend-- ing upwardly therefrom is a solenoid 40.- Mounted on the solenoid 40 are a pair ofswitches 42 and 44; The switch 42 has a plunger type actuator' 46 whereasthe switch 44 has a plunger type actuator 48. Normally the switch-42- Patented June- 19, 1962 mounted a pair of levers 58 and 60 which are aligned with the switches 42 and 44 and connected to the plungers 46 and 48, respectively. The levers 58 and 60 are retained in spaced relation by means of a spring type spacer 62 carried by the shaft 56. Further, the rear ends of the levers 58 and 60, as viewed in FIGURE 4, are provided with springs 64 which extend between the levers and the mounting plate 38 so as to hold the plungers 46 and 48 in their depressed states.

Carried by the lever 60 is a stitching control feeler which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 66. The feeler 66 includes a first leg 68 which passes through an opening 70 in the lever 60 remote from the switch 44. The leg 68 is retained in the opening 70 by means of a setscrew 72 and is accordingly adjustably spaced relative to a cutting arm 94. A second leg 74 generally parallel to the leg 68 (FIGURE 4) is connected to the leg 68 at a place remote from the lever 60 by means of an arcuate portion 76 which is bowed upwardly out of the plane of the legs 68 and 74. The legs 68 and 74 are also braced by means of diagonal braces 78 and 80 which extend between the legs 68 and 74, respectively, and the arcuate portion 76. It is the leg 74 which engages the top 34 of the bag 30 being sewed.

The lever 58 is also provided with a cutter control feeler which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 82. The feeler 82 includes a blade-like member 84 which has connected thereto an L-shaped support 86 which passes through a bore 88 in the lever 58 remote from the switch 42 and is secured in place by means of a setscrew 90 for adjustable spacing of the feeler from the cutting arm 94. The blade 8-4 is generally aligned with and forms a continuation of the leg 74 although it is slightly offset from the leg 74 so that it engages the top 34 of the bag 30 before the leg 74 is released.

Pivotally mounted on the left end of the rod or shaft 56, as Viewed in FIGURE 4, is a connecting block 92. Rigidly secured to the connecting block 92 is the thread engaging cutting arm 94. Secured to the block 92 and extending into the solenoid 40 is a throw arm 96 which, when pulled upwardly by the solenoid 48, will depress the arm 94. Normally the arm 94 is urged downwardly by means of a spring 98 anchored to the rod 56.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of FIGURE 5, it will be seen that the switch 44 is connected in series with a motor 100 for the sewing machine 10. The motor 100 is connected to a power source by means of a wire 102 and to the switch 44 by means of a wire 104. The switch 44 is in turn connected to the power source by a wire 166 in which there is incorporated a fuse 108.

The solenoid 40 is connected in series with the switch 42 and is connected to the switch 42 by means of a wire 110. The solenoid 40 is also connected to a power source by means of a wire 112 in which there is incorporated a manual switch 114 which is mounted on top of the solenoid 40, as viewed in FIGURE 4. The switch 42 is connected to a power source by a wire 116 in which there is positioned a fuse 118.

Operation In the operation of the sewing machine which has incorporated therein the control switch assembly 36, a bag, such as the bag 30 may be automatically conveyed beneath the sewing machine 10 by the conveyor 32 at a predetermined rate. As the top 34 of the bag 30 approaches the sewing machine 10, it will be engaged by the curved portion 76 of the feeler 66 which will guide it relative to the sewing machine 10 and thereby control the phase relationship of the stitching operation. As the top 34 of the bag passes between the leg 76 of the feeler 66 and the housing or backing guide of the sewing machine 10, the lever 60 will be pivoted so as to close the switch 44. This will automatically result in the operation of the sewing machine 10 so as to form the desired stitching as the bag 30 passes therebeneath. As the leading edge of the bag 30' approaches the end of the leg 74, it engages the feeler 82 with the result that the switch 42 is opened and the arm 94 is moved away from the knife or thread cutters 28. Accordingly the phase relationship of the conditioning of the cutting control circuit preparatory to the thread displacing actuation of the arm 94, may be predetermined by adjustment of the feeler 82 on the lever 58.

The length of the leg 74 of the feeler 66 is such that the top 34 of the bag passes well beyondthe needle 24 of the sewing machine 10 before the sewing operation discontinues. Thus an elongated chain is formed rearwardly of the bag. As the bag 30 is continued to be moved by the conveyor 3-2, the top 34 thereof passes from beneath the fee-ler 82 with the result that the lever 58 is returned to its original position and the switch 42 closed. This results in the delayed energization of the solenoid 40 and the depressing of the arm 94 so as to move the thread chain into engagement with the knife 28 and to cut the thread chain. Thus the bag 30 is automatically released from the sewing machine 10 and the sewing machine 10 is now ready for the sewing of a next bag 30.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the operation of the sewing machine 18 in which there has been incorporated the control switch assembly 36, is completely automatic and frees an operators hands during the bag sewing operation. In fact, where an accurate conveyor system is installed, it is not necessary that the operator of the sewing machine do anythingexcept watch the sewing operation to determine that the operation is properly performed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a chain-stitch bag sewing machine of the type including an electric motor and a needle, 21 stitching control device corn-prising a control switch mounted in series with said electric motor, an actuator for said control switch, said actuator including a first bag engaging feeler for controlling operation of said motor extending in the direction of bag movement during a bag sewing operation, said bag engaging feeler extending a considerable distance beyond said needle whereby a thread chain is formed beyond a bag, a thread chain :cutting means for automatically cutting a thread chain behind a bag, said thread chain cutting means including a fixed knife and an arm, said armbeing pivotally and re siliently mounted in alignment with said knife, and means for actuating said arm for moving a thread chain into engagement with said knife including a solenoid, an electric circuit for said solenoid, said electric circuit including an actuator switch operatively connected to said thread chain cutting means mounted for operation by a bag during a bag securing operation for controlling operation of the thread cutting means, said actuator switch having a second feeler extending in the direction of movement of the bag for initially conditioning the electric circuit for subsequent actuation of said arm, said second actuator switch feeler overlapping said first control switch feeler.

2. The combination of claim 1, including levers connected to each of said feelers, said levers being pivotally mounted proximate their centers, said switches each including a push button actuator, said levers being in alignment with said push buttons whereby engagement of a bag with said feelers will cause said feelers to depress said push buttons.

3. The combination of claim 2 including spring means operatively connected to each of said levers for biasing said switches to render the sewing machine and thread chain cutting means inoperative.

4. An automatic control attachment for a bag sewing machine having a bag top stitching mechanism and a stationary thread chain cutter blade fixed in spaced relation to the stitching mechanism on a backing guide along which a bag top is moved for stitching and chain thread cutting; said control attachment comprising, stitching control feeler means adjustably mounted for extension beyond both sides of the stitching mechanism in parallel spaced relation to the backing guide but terminating short of the cutter blade and operatively connected to the stitching mechanism for governing the duration of stitching between approach and departure of a bag top with respect to the stitching mechanism, cutter control feeler means adjustably mounted in overlapping spaced parallel relation to the stitching control feeler means between the cutter blade and the stitching control feeler means for engagement by the bag top prior to departure of the bag top from the stitching mechanism, chain thread displacing means operatively positioned with respect to the cutter blade for cooperation therewith when actuated to sever chain thread extending from a stitched bag top, and control means operatively connected to the thread displacing means and cutter control teeler means -for operatively conditioning the displacing means prior to departure of the bag top from the stitching mechanism and actuated in response to release of the cutter control feeler means by the stitched bag top after a predetermined displacement of the bag top following departure from the stitching mechanism to sever the extended chain thread.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said stitching control feeler means is adjustably positioned in relation to duration of coasting operation of the stitching mechanism and movement of the bag top to effect chain thread stitching after departure of the stitched bag top from the cutter control feeler means.

6. In combination with a bag sewing machine having a bag top stitching mechanism and a stationary thread chain cutter blade fixed in spaced relation to the stitching mechanism on a backing guide along which a bag top is moved, conveyor means carrying bags for moving a bag top along said backing guide at a predetermined rate of movement, and an automatic control attachment mounted on the bag sewing machine comp-rising, stitching control feeler means adjustably mounted for extension beyond both sides of the stitching mechanism in parallel spaced relation to the backing guide but terminating short of the cutter blade and operatively connected to the stitching mechanism for governing the duration of stitching between approach and departure of a bag top with respect to the stitching mechanism, cutter control feeler means adjustably mounted in overlapping spaced parallel relation to the stitching control feeler means between the cutter blade and the stitching control feeler means for engagement by the bag top prior to departure of the bag top from the stitching mechanism, chain thread displacing means operatively positioned with respect to the cutter blade for cooperation wherewith when actuated to sever chain thread extending from a stitched bag top, and control means operatively connected to the thread displacing means and cutter control feeler means for operatively conditioning the displacing means prior to departure of the bag top from the stitching mechanism and actuated in response to release of the cutter control feeler means by the stitched bag top after a predetermined displacement of the bag top following departure from the stitching mechanism to sever the extended chain thread.

7. An automatic control attachment for a bag sewing machine having a bag top stitching mechanism and a stationary thread chain cutter blade fixed in spaced relation to the stitching mechanism on a backing guide along which a bag top is moved for stitching and chain thread cutting; said control attachment comprising, thread cutting means engageable with a chain thread extending from a stitched bag top for severing thereof by pressing the thread against the cutter blade and sensing means operatively connected to the stitching mechanism and cutting means for operatively displacing the cutting means from an inoperative position only during stitching of the bag top by the stitching mechanism and for subsequent actuation of the cutting means following departure of the stitched bag top from the stitching mechanism, in response to sequential engagement and release of the sensing means by the bag top, said sensing means comprising stitching control means operatively connected to the stitching mechanism for controlling the duration of the stitching operation, and cutter control means operatively disposed in overlapping relation to the stitching control means and in spaced relation to the cutting means and operatively connected to the cutting means for controlling the duration of operative positioning of the cutting means prior to actuation thereof.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein each of said stitching and cutter control means includes a longitudinal- 13/ extending feeler bar disposed in parallel spaced relation to said backing guide for displacement by the bag top passing, and switch means operatively connected to each feeler bar for actuation in response to displacement of the feeler bar by the bag top, said feeler bars being disposed in overlapping relation to each other.

9. The combination of claim 8, including adjustment means operatively connected to the sensing means for varying the phase relationship between stitching and actuation of the cutting means.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said adjustment means includes means for respectively varying the spacing between each 'feeler bar and the cutting means.

11. An automatic control attachment for a bag sewing machine having a bag top stitching mechanism and a stationary thread chain cutter blade fixed in spaced relation to the stitching mechanism on a backing guide along which a bag top is moved for stitching and chain thread cutting; said control attachment comprising, thread cutting means engageable with a chain thread extending from a stitched bag top for severing thereof by pressing the thread against the cutter blade and sensing means operatively connected to the stitching mechanism and cutting means for operatively displacing the cutting means from an inoperative position only during stitching of the bag top by the stitching mechanism and for subsequent actuation of the cutting means following departure of the stitched bag top from the stitching mechanism, in response to sequential engagement and release of the sensing means by the bag top, and adjustment means operatively connected to the sensing means for varying the phase relationship between stitching and actuation of the cutting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,151,438 Pierce Mar. 21, 1939 2,630,086 Kindseth et al Mar. 3, 1953 2,705,466 Sargrove et al Apr. 5, 1955 2,932,266 Lutz Apr. 12, 1960 

